Understanding Disc Fragments with OrthoIllinois Chiropractic: From Surgical Solutions to Conservative Chiropractic Care
So you've been told you have a disc fragment, and now you're probably googling frantically at 2 AM wondering what this means for your future. Let's start with the main thing: this is treatable, you will get better, and there's a whole toolkit of options out there to help you heal—many of them gentle and non-invasive as appropriate. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is here for you.
WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN YOUR SPINE?
Think of your spinal discs as jelly donuts padding the bones in your spine. A disc fragment happens when that inner "jelly" breaks through the outer layer and essentially moves away from where it started. When this happens, it can press on nearby nerves, causing that shooting pain down your leg, numbness, or weakness you've been experiencing. We want you to know what’s happening!
YOU HAVE OPTIONS—AND SURGERY ISN'T YOUR ONLY ANSWER
Here's the good news: you don't have to go right to surgery. While surgical options like transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy exist for severe cases and have helped many patients (1), there's a gentler way you might want to explore first.
COX® TECHNIC: A PROVEN NON-SURGICAL APPROACH
Flexion-distraction manipulation (aka Cox® Technic) offers real hope for people dealing with disc fragments. Medical literature substantiates this specialized chiropractic technique as an effective treatment for the radiating leg pain and back discomfort coming from disc extrusions. (2)
What makes Cox® Technic different? Instead of the twisting you might associate with chiropractic treatment, this gentle approach utilizes a specialized table that lets the chiropractor like yours at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic to create a rhythmic pumping motion while keeping contact with the spine at the appropriate specific level of pain. This motion works to:
- Lower pressure inside your disc
- Help reposition the herniated material
- Decompress the pinched nerves
- Increase the space between your vertebrae
It's non-invasive, drug-free, and has helped countless patients stay away from surgery while getting back to the activities they love.
Understanding your condition is the first step toward healing. Researchers continue studying how disc herniations affect surrounding muscles and tissues (3), allowing us better insights into treatment approaches.
You deserve to investigate all your options before making major decisions about surgery. Many patients find that starting with conservative chiropractic care—particularly Cox® Technic—gives them the relief they need without undergoing surgery. Why not see what conservative care can do for you first?
Your pain doesn't have to last forever. There's a path forward, and it starts by talking with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Joel Dixon from Australia on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief possible for a patient with disc extrusion with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
